Freelance Writer and Journalist

Climate change: Students show importance of discussion

Climate change affects the entire planet

Students walkout for climate change

Many of us know about the plight of climate change. Yet, it is not discussed as much as other issues around the country. However, according to CNN, students like Greta Thunberg recently took action to fight the problem. Indeed, the Global Climate Strike was a global effort to bring awareness to the issue that now affects millions in every part of the planet.

Climate Change Walk Out

In fact, students in every country organized a walkout quite similar to the one that brought awareness to gun reform last year. Yet, this event – called Youth Strike 4 Climate – focused on the problems brought on by climate change. People from Sweden, Australia, South Korea, the United States and other countries all had reasons to walk out. Just like last year’s event regarding gun reform, students wanted to put a focus on an issue that has only gotten worse.

Climate Statistics

“It’s a signal of attention and ambition that all scientists say we need,” New York magazine Deputy Editor David Wallace-Wells said while on MSNBC’s “Velshi & Ruhle.” According to Wallace-Wells, the United Nations wants to cut emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030.”

“It’s a lot like the kids in Parkland speaking about the gun issue,” he said. “When you see the kids doing it, you realize – as much as this has been processed through partisan politics – there is such clear moral urgency on both points.”

Moreover, according to Wallace-Wells, 73 percent of people believe that global warming is happening, and 70 percent are concerned about it.

“Those numbers are up 15 percent since 2015,” he said. “They’re up 8 percent since March [of 2018]. So the movement in the public is actually quite fast.”

Wallace-Wells is the author of The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming. In the book, he describes climate change’s effects. The first three chapters – “Heat Death”, “Hunger” and “Drowning” – only begin to paint the dire picture.

David Wallace-Wells appeared on MSNBC’s “Velshi & Ruhle” to discuss climate change

Green New Deal for climate

According to the MSNBC segment, Congress has not passed any climate legislation in nearly 10 years. However, Stephanie Ruhle said lawmakers introduced new legislation called the Green New Deal. The deal calls for several things:

Cut global emissions by 60 percent

Upgrade buildings for maximum energy efficiency

Meet 100 percent of U.S. power demand through clean, renewable and zero emissions energy sources

Push to implement smart grids for affordable electricity

As of now, the Green New Deal has yet to be passed. However, climate change and the legislation are proving to be contentious issues in Washington, D.C. and the rest of the country.

Reducing climate change

There are so many things you can do to reduce climate change effects. If you’re stumped, have a look at a post I wrote in 2016. The issue has gone on for several years – and only we can help stop it.